The word "Brotherhood" was personified these last few months, as UBC members, staff, and leadership banded together and came to the aid of about 800 fellow members from the Central South Carpenters and Southern States Millwright Regional Councils who live in the area affected by the historic August storms and flooding.

From personal donations of just a few dollars to tens of thousands of dollars donated by several Locals, Regional Councils, UBC Districts, and the UBC, members led the way to help in every way they could.

Locally, members volunteered their time to help gut flooded homes. Central South and Southern States Millwright Council Reps and staff worked tireless hours to organize relief efforts. The two councils and the Southern District formed a relief fund to funnel the aid - in the form of money and building supplies - efficiently to those who needed it.

And then there was the clothing truck. Logan Roche, Council Representative for the St. Louis - Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council and Justin Jeffers, treasurer of Randolph County in Southern Illinois, drove over 600 miles to deliver a trailer full of donated clothing. Their efforts were met at the Baton Rouge Training Center by volunteer staff and apprentices from both the Central South and Southern States Millwright Councils to unload and organize the clothing for fast distribution.

This Thanksgiving is the perfect time to say thank you to Logan and Justin for their efforts - two great representatives of the army of supporters from the UBC nation who mobilized when the call came from members in need. May you all have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Yours in Brotherhood,

Jason Engels, EST, CSCRC & Wayne Jennings, EST, SSMRC